Max Whitlock Set to Bid Farewell to Gymnastics After Paris Olympics
Read Time:1 Minute, 45 Second
Britain’s most accomplished gymnast, Max Whitlock has revealed his intention to retire following the forthcoming Olympic Games in Paris. With a distinguished career adorned by three gold medals, notably two on the pommel horse, Whitlock stands on the cusp of history. No gymnast in Olympic annals has clinched four medals on the same apparatus, a feat the 31-year-old maestro could achieve in the French capital this summer.
Expressing his sentiments to BBC Breakfast, Whitlock remarked, “This decision now feels right.” Reflecting on his imminent swansong at the Olympic stage, he confessed to the surreal nature of bidding adieu. He articulated, “Going for my final Olympic Games, it feels very, very strange talking about it and it’s almost hard to articulate what it’s like. It’s a really nice mindset to be in, to think I’ll just give it all I’ve got.”
Whitlock catapulted into prominence during the London 2012 Olympics, clinching bronze on his favored apparatus, the pommel horse, while securing team bronze for Great Britain. His ascent continued at Rio 2016, where he etched his name in history books as Britain’s first all-around medalist in over a century, snaring bronze. Additionally, he triumphed in the pommel horse and floor exercises, clinching gold.
Maintaining his golden streak, Whitlock retained his supremacy at Tokyo 2021, following which he took a hiatus from the sport. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, “Ever since Rio where I was at my peak age, I think I’ve had questions thrown at me about when am I retiring. I’ve wanted to prove people wrong a lot of the way through my journey and I’ve always had the mindset of trying to do this for as long as I possibly can.”
The forthcoming Games hold a poignant significance for Whitlock, as his daughter, Willow, aged five, will witness his final Olympic endeavor. Denied the opportunity to witness her father’s exploits in Tokyo due to the pandemic-induced restrictions, Willow’s presence in the stands serves as a poignant culmination to Whitlock’s illustrious career.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
Eyaa!
It’s sad that he want to live but then it’s for the best,His great skill and commitment he put in his career as a gymnastics will always be remembered.
Nice one, he will be remembered